Yenagoa train station kidnapping

On January 7, 2023, thirty-two people were kidnapped by bandits at a train station in Yenagoa, Edo State, Nigeria. All were freed on January 17.

Yenagoa train station kidnapping
Part of Nigerian bandit conflict
LocationYenagoa, Edo State, Nigeria
DateJanuary 7, 2023
InjuredUnknown
Victims32 kidnapped
PerpetratorFulani herdsmen

Prelude

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Kidnapping for ransom is a common tactic used by gangs across Nigeria, although is usually relegated to the north of the country around Kaduna State.[1] Edo State, in southern Nigeria, took legal measures to prevent kidnapping in the 2010s after several high-ranking judges were kidnapped, although kidnappings continued throughout the state at a lower level.[2] In the run-up to the 2023 Nigerian presidential election, southern and southeastern Nigeria was embroiled in political violence, with Edo State consumed as well.[3][4]

Kidnapping

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The kidnappers came out of the bush near the train station around twenty minutes before a train headed to Warri was set to arrive.[5] As they came out of the bush, the kidnappers shot into the air, injuring some civilians. They then abducted thirty-two people, including the station manager and clerk.[6] Survivors blamed the lack of security at the station for the success of the attack.[6] One woman managed to escape the kidnapping with her baby, and later two children abducted in the attack were dropped off at a nearby gas station with their parents contacted.[6]

The Edo State police commissioner alleged the perpetrators to be Fulani herdsmen.[6]

Aftermath

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By January 17, all of the abductees had been rescued by Nigerian authorities. Two village chiefs and five kidnappers were arrested and charged for the kidnapping.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Peltier, Elian (2023-02-24). "Ahead of Crucial Election, Security Crises and Kidnappings Plague Nigeria". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  2. ^ Mofoluwawo, Oluwapelumi Mojolaoluwa (January 9, 2019). "Curbing the Menace of Kidnapping in Edo State: The Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law 2013 to the Rescue". Social Security Research Network. SSRN 3325493. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  3. ^ Serwat, Andrea Carboni, Ladd (2023-02-22). "Political Violence and the 2023 Nigerian Election". ACLED. Retrieved 2023-11-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ ACLED-CDD (2023-01-19). "Nigeria Election Violence Tracker | Situation Summary: 13 December 2022-15 January 2023". ACLED. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  5. ^ "Armed group abducts 32 people from southern Nigeria train station". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  6. ^ a b c d Aliu, Ozioruva; Ukanwa, Ezra (January 9, 2023). "Edo train kidnap: Terrorists struck because there's no security in station —Witnesses". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  7. ^ Sanusi, Abiodun (2023-01-22). "BREAKING: Eight Edo train attack suspects charged with kidnapping". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-11-27.